What to Do After a Car Accident in Buffalo Before the Tow Truck Arrives
The minutes after a car accident can be confusing. Before thinking about towing prices or repair shops, check for injuries, identify immediate hazards and contact emergency services when needed.
1. Check Yourself and Your Passengers
Check for pain, bleeding, confusion or other possible injuries. Do not move an injured person unless remaining in place creates a greater immediate danger. Follow instructions from emergency dispatchers and responding personnel.
Some injuries are not immediately obvious. Seek appropriate medical attention when there is any concern about an injury.
2. Avoid Creating Another Collision
Turn on the hazard lights when possible. Do not stand between vehicles, in an active traffic lane or near leaking fuel. Move to a safer position only when it can be done without creating additional danger.
NHTSA reminds drivers to slow down and move over for stopped emergency and service vehicles displaying warning lights. Accident scenes remain dangerous even after the original collision has ended.
3. Contact Police When Required
New York requirements depend on the circumstances. The New York DMV states that drivers involved in property-damage-only crashes must exchange driver-license, registration and insurance information. Additional reporting requirements apply when a person is injured or killed or when property damage exceeds applicable thresholds.
Use official police and New York DMV instructions for the actual reporting obligations. A towing company cannot determine or replace a driver’s legal reporting responsibilities.
4. Exchange and Record Information
When safe and appropriate, collect:
- Driver names and contact information
- Driver-license information
- Vehicle registration information
- Insurance-company and policy information
- Vehicle make, model and plate information
- Police agency and report information
- Witness contact information
Avoid posting accident details, identifying information or accusations publicly while the incident is being reviewed.
5. Photograph the Scene When It Is Safe
Useful photographs may include:
- Overall positions of the vehicles
- Damage to each side of the vehicle
- Wheel and suspension damage
- Debris or fluid locations
- Traffic signals and signs
- Road and weather conditions
- Relevant skid marks
Do not step into traffic or ignore emergency-personnel instructions to obtain photographs.
Need Accident Towing on a Local Buffalo-Area Road?
Provide the vehicle condition, pickup location, destination and photographs when requested.
Call 716-324-1023 Request an Accident Tow6. Determine Whether the Vehicle Can Be Driven
A vehicle may look drivable but still have unsafe damage. Do not drive when there is concern about:
- Steering or suspension damage
- A tire rubbing against the body
- Fluid leaking from the vehicle
- Broken lights needed for safe operation
- Airbags blocking controls or visibility
- A wheel positioned abnormally
- Loose body panels
- Smoke, fire or electrical damage
Police, emergency personnel or a qualified repair professional may provide additional direction depending on the circumstances.
7. Tell the Towing Company About the Damage
Accident damage affects how a vehicle can be loaded. Before dispatch, explain whether:
- The vehicle rolls
- The vehicle steers
- It shifts into neutral
- The keys are available
- Any wheels are missing, bent or locked
- The suspension has collapsed
- Airbags deployed
- Fluids are leaking
- The vehicle left the roadway
- The police have released the vehicle for towing
Photos of the damaged wheels and the vehicle’s position may help identify equipment limitations before the truck travels to the scene.
8. Choose the Delivery Location
A damaged vehicle may be delivered to a collision shop, mechanical repair shop, dealership or another approved location. Before selecting the destination, confirm:
- The business accepts accident-damaged vehicles
- The facility has space
- After-hours delivery is permitted
- A secure key-drop procedure is available
- The business accepts the vehicle’s size and type
- Your insurer has not provided different instructions
Buffalo Towing Services does not operate an impound lot and does not offer impound towing.
9. Remove Essential Property
When authorities permit it and the vehicle can be accessed safely, remove medication, identification, keys, child seats, work items, electronic devices and other essential property.
Do not enter an unstable vehicle or interfere with the accident investigation.
Important Roadway Restrictions
Buffalo Towing Services does not provide service on I-90, I-190, Route 33 or Route 198. When an accident occurs on one of those roadways, contact 911 and follow the instructions of police and the responsible roadway authority.
We provide towing for passenger vehicles and qualifying medium-duty vehicles generally below approximately 9,500 pounds. We do not provide heavy-duty, semi-truck, RV or out-of-state towing.
Review our Buffalo towing options, check our service-area directory or submit the accident information through our online towing quote page.
New York Crash Reporting Reminder
The New York DMV explains that a motorist crash report may be required within 10 days when a New York crash causes a fatality, personal injury or property damage above the applicable reporting threshold. Drivers should read the current DMV requirements and consult appropriate authorities when uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call the police before a tow truck?
Call 911 when someone is injured, traffic is blocked, the scene is dangerous or police assistance is otherwise required. The vehicle may need to be released by authorities before it can be removed.
Can I choose where my vehicle is towed?
Destination options depend on police instructions, insurance requirements, facility acceptance, location and the circumstances of the crash. Confirm that the receiving facility will accept the vehicle.
Can an accident vehicle be transported on a flatbed?
Many accident vehicles are transported by flatbed, but wheel condition, suspension damage, access, vehicle weight and loading clearance must be evaluated.
Will you tow from an expressway accident?
No. Buffalo Towing Services does not service I-90, I-190, Route 33 or Route 198. Contact 911 and follow the roadway authority’s instructions.
Request Local Accident Towing
Acceptance depends on location, vehicle condition, safety, current calls and equipment limits.
Call 716-324-1023 Submit Accident Details
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Help Other Buffalo Drivers Prepare
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